Trail Blazers coach Nate McMillan said until the organization hires a general manager, he is "putting everything on hold" regarding his efforts to finalize his coaching staff for next season.

"I'm still working on it, but we first have to get a GM,'' McMillan said Tuesday.

McMillan said he will have final say on whom he chooses for his staff, but the general manager negotiates the salaries and contract details.

Multiple sources have confirmed that McMillan has been asked by ownership to shuffle his staff before next season. Assistant Monty Williams left to become the head coach in New Orleans and the team allowed the contracts to expire of lead assistant Dean Demopoulos and second-year assistant Joe Prunty. Also, Maurice Lucas will not return because of health reasons.

It is unknown how many assistants McMillan will hire, but it is believed his former coach in Seattle — Bernie Bickerstaff — will be his lead assistant and former Blazers assistant and longtime NBA coach Jim Lynam has been interviewed.

"I've been talking to guys, and I will continue to talk to guys when we are in Las Vegas,'' McMillan said.

Blazers president Larry Miller is searching for a new general manager, and has interviewed former Cleveland general manager Danny Ferry and is expected to interview former Miami general manager Randy Pfund.